The South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) is disappointed with the United States Supreme Court’s ruling allowing the Trump Administration to enforce the Muslim ban while legal challenges proceed in lower courts. This decision allows for extreme restrictions on people attempting to visit or immigrate from six Muslim-majority countries. The restrictions on entries from North Korea and Venezuela were previously allowed.

Through statements made by President Trump, we know that these restrictions are tied to religion despite the inclusion of two countries without Muslim majorities. Casting suspicion on people simply based on their religion is shameful, and more importantly, contradicts the basic principles of our country. “SABA will continue to stand against these efforts to discriminate against an entire group of people based solely on prejudice,” said SABA President Rishi Bagga. “We hope that this 3rd version of the Muslim Ban will end as its predecessors did, and that the current administration will focus on security efforts based on facts and reason instead of fear and willful ignorance.”

The challenges to the ban in the Fourth and Ninth Circuits will continue. It was the partial injunctions issued by those courts that were lifted yesterday. The Supreme Court has not made a decision on the merits of the ban itself. SABA is a party to the amicus briefs that have been filed by the Korematsu Center and including other affinity bars in opposition to every iteration of the Muslim Ban.

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SABA North America (formerly NASABA/North American South Asian Bar Association) is a voluntary bar organization and serves as an umbrella organization to 26 chapters in the United States and Canada. SABA North America is a recognized forum for professional growth and advancement for South Asian attorneys in North America and seeks to protect the rights and liberties of the South Asian community across the continent. Learn more at www.sabanorthamerica.com.